{"id":2348587,"date":"2024-10-02T11:17:53","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T15:17:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-lengthy-port-strike-would-spell-trouble-for-harris-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-02T11:19:37","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T15:19:37","slug":"a-lengthy-port-strike-would-spell-trouble-for-harris-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-lengthy-port-strike-would-spell-trouble-for-harris-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"A lengthy port strike would spell trouble for Harris &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fa-lengthy-port-strike-would-spell-trouble-for-harris-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2348587&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A significant \u2063dockworker\u2062 strike has begun involving tens of thousands of \u200dmembers \u2062of the International Longshoremen\u2019s Association, affecting ports coast-to-coast from Maine \u200cto Texas. This \u2063strike, the first \u200dat East Coast and Gulf Coast ports \u2063since\u200b 1977, was initiated after \u2062the expiration \u200dof \u2062a six-year contract. The\u200b workers \u200bare demanding \u2064higher \u200cwages and a ban on automation, posing a potential political challenge for Vice President Kamala Harris as the upcoming November elections approach.<\/p>\n<p>The situation presents a dilemma for President Joe Biden, who has the authority to \u2064intervene under the Taft-Hartley Act\u200c to halt\u2064 the strike, but doing so may alienate union supporters and disrupt his pro-union image. Biden&#8217;s administration is \u2062reportedly seeking a solution through negotiations rather than direct intervention.<\/p>\n<p>The economic \u2063implications\u2062 of a prolonged \u200bstrike could \u2064be \u200dsevere,\u2064 with estimates suggesting it might cost the economy $5 billion daily, \u200dthreatening to\u200b hurt consumer interests\u200b and impact voting\u200c behavior in key battleground states. Political analysts note that\u200d if the \u200cdisruption continues, it could\u200d benefit opposing candidates, particularly\u2062 Donald Trump, \u200dwho may\u200c capitalize on the administration&#8217;s response.<\/p>\n<p>the strike\u200b poses a complex challenge for the\u200b Biden-Harris campaign, potentially\u200d influencing voter sentiment just before the election and emphasizing the\u200c balance between supporting labor rights and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inflation-remains-one-of-bidens-most-persistent-problems\/\" title=\"Biden still faces persistent inflation issue.\">ensuring economic stability<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">A lengthy dockworker strike would spell trouble for Harris<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1773838\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A protracted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3166460\/port-strike-disaster-dockworkers-what-is-at-play\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>dockworker strike<\/a> could inflict political damage on Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Kamala Harris<\/a> as the November <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>elections<\/a> quickly approach.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>On Tuesday, tens of thousands of members of the International Longshoremen&rsquo;s Association at ports from Maine to Texas began <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/strike\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>striking<\/a> after their six-year contract expired. Workers at the 36 East Coast and Gulf Coast ports involved are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-lengthy-dockworker-strike-would-spell-trouble-for-harris-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"A lengthy dockworker strike would spell trouble for Harris - Washington Examiner\">demanding large pay raises<\/a> and a ban on automation.<\/p>\n<p>This is the first strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports since 1977, and given the scale of the work stoppage, it presents an economic headache for President Joe Biden and Harris, the Democratic candidate for president. The longer the strike continues, the more damage it will do to the economy and the more it could hurt Harris.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Biden and his proxies are stuck between a rock and a hard place,&rdquo; Dan Bowling, a visiting professor at Georgia State University&rsquo;s law school who teaches about labor union matters, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dockworker Meikysha Wright and others strike outside the Virginia International Gateway in Portsmouth, Virginia, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman\/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Notably, Biden has the power to act and force an end to the strike under the Taft-Hartley Act, but he could damage his administration&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-continues-to-bleed-support-from-working-class-voters\/\" title=\"Biden Continues to Bleed Support From Working-Class Voters\">pro-union bona fides<\/a> and jeopardize union support for Harris. The Taft-Hartley Act amended the National Labor Relations Act to give the executive authority to intervene in instances that represent national emergencies.<\/p>\n<p>If Biden did intervene, it would impose an 80-day cooling-off period under Taft-Hartley, during which a strike would be averted because the longshoremen would return to work while negotiations continued.<\/p>\n<p>But Biden is not ready to take that step. The president has said he doesn&rsquo;t believe in Taft-Hartley, although his administration is working behind the scenes to help the two sides reach an agreement.<\/p>\n<p>On Monday, chief of staff Jeff Zients and national economic adviser Lael Brainard met with U.S. Maritime Alliance board members and &ldquo;urged them to resolve this in a way that accounts for the success of these companies in recent years and the invaluable contributions of ILA workers.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>If a strike drags out for a long period of time, the negative economic effects will be compounded and could be felt by voters &mdash; something Biden and Harris are trying to avoid. Sean Higgins, a research fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that when West Coast ports were jammed during the pandemic, there was a &ldquo;cascade effect&rdquo; that created a supply chain crisis across the entire country.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;So it&rsquo;s potentially a very significant shutdown that could really tie up the economy,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Transportation analysts at J.P. Morgan estimate that a strike by longshoremen would cost the economy $5 billion per day, which is 6% of gross domestic product.<\/p>\n<p>The strike comes at an unfortunate time for Harris and Democrats due to its proximity to the election and the need to retain the support of union voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think Harris has to be forced into answering some questions as to what she would do, her opinion on this,&rdquo; Bowling said. &ldquo;Would she intervene? What will it do to the economy? And so there&rsquo;s no good outcome right now for the Democrats, in my opinion.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Harris is courting the union vote, but Trump is also trying to eat into that support. If Biden does end up invoking Taft-Hartley and stopping the strike, it could anger union voters.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022, Biden<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1444126\/right-thing-to-do-in-the-moment-biden-signs-bill-averting-christmas-rail-strike\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;prevented a rail workers strike<\/a>&nbsp;by convening a Presidential Emergency Board under the Railway Labor Act of 1926, and Congress<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/2418938\/congressional-leaders-move-quickly-to-avert-rail-strike-despite-bipartisan-opposition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;used its authority<\/a>&nbsp;to impose an agreement on the two sides. At the time, Biden was<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2050887\/joe-biden-blew-it-rail-workers-union-lashes-out-at-the-white-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;criticized<\/a>&nbsp;by some pro-union figures for the move.<\/p>\n<p>Peter Loge, director of the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs, said facilitating a quick settlement to the contract disputes would be a feather in Biden&rsquo;s hat. A drawn-out strike, in contrast, would harm the economy just as it recovers from years of high inflation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;But more importantly, you offer an opportunity for Trump to say, if I were president, this would never happen, I would stop the strike,&rdquo; Loge told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;So a prolonged strike is bad for the Biden and Harris administration. A prolonged strike is very bad for the Harris-Walz ticket.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Republicans are already calling upon Biden to step in. House Speaker&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-johnson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mike Johnson<\/a>&nbsp;(R-LA) warned that not intervening could <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3172473\/johnson-criticizes-biden-refusal-intervene-dockworker-strike\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>damage commerce<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This administration&rsquo;s failure to encourage a resolution between the International Longshoremen&rsquo;s Association union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance will only exacerbate the economic pain wrought by four years of skyrocketing inflation, decreasing wages, and fewer jobs,&rdquo; Johnson&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CraigCaplan\/status\/1841083287931924949\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a>, according to C-SPAN.<\/p>\n<p>Trump released a statement on Tuesday that bashed Harris for the strike.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The situation should have never come to this and, had I been President, it would not have,&rdquo; Trump said. &ldquo;This is only happening because of the inflation brought on by Kamala Harris&rsquo; two votes for massive, out-of-control spending, and her decision to cut off energy exploration.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They should ensure that both sides remain at the table, continue to negotiate in good faith, and ultimately reach a deal that keeps workers on the job and goods flowing through our ports, including those in Louisiana,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who is the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/3163623\/biden-urged-stop-port-strike-bill-cassidy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>previously asked Biden to intervene<\/a> in a letter to the president ahead of the strike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1773838\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1773838\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A prolonged dockworker strike could harm Harris politically<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3360,"featured_media":2348588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/harris-dockworker-strike.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[35077,4021,41242,41590,32076],"class_list":["post-2348587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-economic-impact","tag-harris","tag-labor-disputes","tag-port-strike","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/harris-dockworker-strike.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2348587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3360"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2348587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2348587\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2348588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2348587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2348587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2348587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}